The Unquiet Sky

[Teunis]

New album needs a new topic . Received a newsletter today with the following news (also posted on the website):

We are pleased to announce that our 8th Studio Album "The Unquiet Sky", is now available to pre-order from our store.

Track List :

The Demon Strikes
How Did it Come to This?
The Bishop of Lufford
Oblivious to the Night
No Chance Encounter
Markings on a Parchment
The Unquiet Sky
What Happened Before
Time Runs Out
Returning the Curse
Unexpected Dawn
Traveller Beware

From Clive: It was a combination of ideas - I had decided to base the album on a short horror story by M.R. James called 'Casting the Runes' - some people may have seen the old 1957 film version called 'Night of the Demon'. We were looking for an album title and John suggested 'The Unquiet Sky' even though he was unaware of my concept idea - as far as I was concerned, it fitted the mood I had in mind for the album.

All pre-orders will be mailed out on Monday 23rd March (one month ahead of the Official Worldwide Release date of 27th April).

The only other place to buy the album before 27th April will be from the Merchandise stall on our upcoming tour!

All of the artwork has been created by the ever talented Kylan Amos!

The Official  release date for this 12 track cd is the 27th April 2015
BUT!!!!!........Arena will be selling the cd on tour or you can buy it in advance from our website and receive your copy by the end of March 2015 one month before the official worldwide retail release date!!.

[The Butterfly Man]

YES!!!!

[maddox]

 

[Teunis]

First review. It's a nice read and makes clear what to expect, both the story and the music: link.

[PH]

What a promising review! I can't wait. I wanted to preorder and discovered that there's only one version. A standard jewel case edition. Anyone here who knows whether a special edition is planned? With a bonus CD or DVD or something? A bit like the previous album?

[Teunis]

It seems there's only one edition indeed. I doubt if I will order it at the Arena shop online (will ship from 23th March) or that I will but it at the gig I'm attending on 31th March. At the local shop is no option: release will be a month later .

[PH]

It seems there's only one edition indeed. I doubt if I will order it at the Arena shop online (will ship from 23th March) or that I will but it at the gig I'm attending on 31th March. At the local shop is no option: release will be a month later .

In your case I think I would buy at the gig.

[Teunis]

In your case I think I would buy at the gig.

You convinced me. Than I don't know the new songs (except 'The Demon Strikes', which wil be on the setlist). Besides, it will save me some euros, the pound is stronger than the euro nowadays .

[Petrucci]

I have received the cd today (Lyon, France) and I like it  In my opinion, it only lacks a long song (the longest is 7:36).

I hope to see the band next month in Lyon

[frenchsting]

My copy should arrive in a few days (odered at builtbyfrance.com website). Can't wait listening to the album.

I see them Friday evening at "Chez Paulette" venue.

[The Butterfly Man]

Anyone else still waiting on their pre-order from Verglas to arrive?

Tom

[PH]

Anyone else still waiting on their pre-order from Verglas to arrive?

Tom

Yes, me. I was also wondering.
In this case I probably (hopefully) still get it before the actual release date, but other than that it almost doesn't make any sense to preorder anymore.

[The Butterfly Man]

Yes, me. I was also wondering.
In this case I probably (hopefully) still get it before the actual release date, but other than that it almost doesn't make any sense to preorder anymore.

Ha, I guess I should have posted that earlier. When I got home it was waiting in my mailbox. About to listen to it now! Hope you get it soon Paco. My cousin who lives nearby got her copy last Friday so I guess the postal delivery in this country doesn't really make sense.

Tom

[Teunis]

Bought it right after the gig yesterday.

[Cagemember 321]

Great CD, one of the best in the back catalogue, because very coherent, compact and powerful.
Pauls voice is great, sometime a touch too much like classic Heavy metal singers.
Music is powerful, very rythmic.

Most liked songs after the first 6-7 hearings: The unquiet sky and Travellers beware.

[The Butterfly Man]

What an unbelievably strong album. This - to me - is the natural follow up to Contagion. A true return to form. Nothing against Pepper's Ghost and Seventh Degree, but listening to this album a couple of times made me realise that this is the Arena that I grew so fond of. A few initial highlights:

- The concept. What an intriguing story.
- The return of guitarsolo's.
- How Did It Come to This?
- The Unquiet Sky
- What happened before. Hell hath no fury!
- Returning The Curse. Especially the instrumental bit that starts at 2:05.
- Unexpected Dawn. Melodic, souring. Strong vocal delivery by Paul.
- Traveller Beware. A mini-epic. Stunning conclusion to the album.

It's almost an insult that they're playing only four Unquiet Sky-songs live. I fully understand that they're celebrating 20 years or Arena, but maybe the guys have to think about doing a tour in support of this album later in the year, schedules permitting of course, like they did with Contagion. Play a large chunk of The Unquiet Sky as a first set, then have a small break, and then come back and play a second set consisting of 'classics'. Sounds like a plan, right?

Congratulations Clive and the rest of the band on this remarkable piece of work.

By the way, Erik, how about writing a 'Follow the Signs'-article about Unquiet Sky, just for old times sake?

Tom

[The Butterfly Man]

- Returning The Curse. Especially the instrumental bit that starts at 2:05.

I've been wondering what this bit reminds me of since the first time I heard it, but I finally know now. Pendragon during the Not of This World days!

Anyone else with an opinion on The Unquiet Sky in this very quiet part of the Room?

Tom

[PH]

As soon as I have the album, I will give my opinion!
With my luck I will have it on the release date...

[keyboardistmatt]

A great, great album. It's been in the CD player since I receivedt. (Preorder)
Great lyrics as usual, some great instrumental work from the band - and great artwork. It's kinda reminiscent of the cover art of 'The Visitor', don't you think?

The album art is an essential part of the package to me, that's why I still insist on buying physical media. Compliments to Kylan for a great job!

[Nicky007]

So, Matt, would you say that the album is "great" ?

- Nicky

[The Butterfly Man]

A great, great album. It's been in the CD player since I receivedt. (Preorder)

Same here.

Great lyrics as usual, some great instrumental work from the band - and great artwork. It's kinda reminiscent of the cover art of 'The Visitor', don't you think?

Yeah indeed. Also, like Erik mentioned in another thread, did you spot the Visitor-velocipede in the distance in the artwork of Unexpected Dawn?

The album art is an essential part of the package to me, that's why I still insist on buying physical media. Compliments to Kylan for a great job!

Again, I agree. I wouldn't want to miss the artwork, especially in this case with the numbers and symbols. 

So, Matt, would you say that the album is "great" ?

He would, 'cause it is!

Tom

[Nicky007]

He would, 'cause it is!

Think I'll give Matt a thesaurus for his next birthday

- Nicky

[frenchsting]

Recieved my copy on Tuesday 2rd.

A great album and the songs are compact and powerful.

They played live some of the songs and they really kick a*s. 

[PH]

Ladies and gentlemen, we've got him!
Finally "The Unquiet Sky" arrived today!
I'm going to listen to it tomorrow.

[The Butterfly Man]

Ladies and gentlemen, we've got him!
Finally "The Unquiet Sky" arrived today!
I'm going to listen to it tomorrow.

Wow, finally.

Tom